Engineering Project Manager - Contract

Astroscale UK are seeking an experienced technical Project Manager to support two new opportunities. Leading a matrix team from across the UK business, you will be working across a complex bid submission, and the kick off of a new mission with one of our sister entities. This role is being offered as an initial 6 month contract, with a start date in May 2026.

Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for the design and delivery of space missions (or aspects thereof) on complex engineering missions, achieved via the coordination of matrixed project/engineering teams.
• Planning and delivery of project review gates, including management and production of associated deliverables.
• Define and maintain an appropriate balance of quality, cost, schedule, and risk, whilst delivering projects and their associated deliverables.
• Generate project inputs to mission concept studies, technical or non-technical packages of work, and bid work, in support of the wider business.
• Interface with customers, suppliers, and programme partners as necessary in support of projects, bids, or similar activities.
• Report and be internally accountable to business and senior management.

Essential Skills

• Significant experience in project or programme management, within the space or aerospace industries.
• Track record of successful mission delivery.
• Understanding of full mission lifecycle experience (from requirements definition to verification, delivery, commissioning, and operations), with experience across as much of these phases as possible.
• A basic knowledge of debris removal, end-of-life, in-orbit maintenance or servicing.
• A “can-do” approach, and drive to work with a team to achieve collective success.
• Rounded ‘technical’ project management skillset (delivery, schedule, financial, risk management, etc).
• Ability to collaborate effectively, and lead a close-knit team of personnel across engineering, commercial, procurement and product assurance.
• Experience planning and completing project review gates (Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, etc).
• Experience of bid support, project financial accounting, quality / product assurance (QA / PA), or business development work.

Desirable Skills

• University degree in a technical discipline.
• Experience of supplier management or unit procurement.
• An understanding of engineering process, with knowledge of large satellite company or agency design principles e.g. ECSS.
• Experience working with challenging customers, partners, or suppliers.
• Knowledge of the wider framework around debris removal including licensing, export, regulation, space law.
• Knowledge of relevant missions such as ADRAS-J, ELSA-d, RemoveDebris, CleanSpace, e.DeOrbit, DEOS, ATV, ETS-7 etc.

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space.

At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.